Getting The Cheapest Car Insurance
When it comes to car insurance, South Africans have numerous choices available to them. Unfortunately, many people find themselves being taken advantage of by insurance companies that are well-schooled in the use of fear to convince their customers to make hastily-conceived decisions that often cost far more than required. Few would argue that car insurance has no value, but consumers should be able to make choices that enable them to protect themselves and their property without being forced to pay exorbitant rates that place unneeded stress on family finances. The good news is that, with a little planning and foresight, the smart consumer can obtain the cheapest car insurance while still getting the protection he or she needs.
Choose a higher excess
One of the easiest ways to obtain the best rate for your car insurance is to plan to pay a higher excess – otherwise known as a deductible – on any claim that you will make. Unless you are one of those rare drivers who makes a habit of getting into accidents or leaving your car in unsafe areas, chances are that you will be making few, if any, claims against your car insurance policy. What then is the use of having a policy with a low excess if you have a history of safe driving? To save money, choose a higher excess, and enact a plan to save some of the money you save on your premiums to be used in the event that you actually need to make a claim.
The vehicle you drive
Sports cars and other high performance and flashy vehicles tend to be at a higher risk for theft and break-ins. Yes, it is nice to be able to drive around in an expensive vehicle, but the increased attention that such cars bring cause most insurers to rate them as higher risks than less noticeable cars. If you really want to save money on your car insurance, choose a less expensive vehicle.
Negotiate with your current insurer
If you already have a car insurance policy, don’t neglect the option of negotiating with the company for a better rate. Believe it or not, most companies can be talked into offering you discounts to stay with their service, since it is always cheaper for them to maintain the customers they have than seek new ones. If you’re wondering whether your insurer can provide cheaper rates than they currently offer, simply ask.
Shop around
Too many people check the rates with one or two companies
and then make their choice. If you want the cheapest insurance
rates, you have to do a little more homework than that.
Contact as many companies as you can, obtain quotes online,
and then negotiate the various components of your policy.
Find out what discounts are offered for vehicles that
contain safety devices, low-mileage drivers, and adults-only
vehicles. You might be surprised at the savings you can
find! The bottom line is that you will only find the cheapest
rates on car insurance if you are willing to take the
time to look.
